Lophornis magnificus
The Frilled Coquette, *Lophornis magnificus*, is a diminutive and dazzling hummingbird, instantly recognizable by the male's elaborate adornments. Measuring approximately 7 cm (2.8 inches) in length and weighing a mere 2.5 to 3.5 grams, it is among the smallest of its kind. Males boast a glossy green back, a brilliant iridescent green gorget, and most notably, a short rufous crest atop the head and pointed, rufous-tipped emerald "frills" extending from the sides of its neck. A distinctive whi...
This species thrives in a variety of open and semi-open woodland habitats, including forest borders, secondary growth, clearings, and cultivated areas like gardens and coffee plantations, typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to around 1500 meters.
The diet of the Frilled Coquette primarily consists of nectar, extracted from a wide array of small flowers, supplemented by small arthropods such as gnats and spiders caught in flight or gleaned from foliage.
Frilled Coquettes are primarily solitary birds, spending their days actively foraging for nectar and tiny insects. Their flight is rapid and erratic, often described as bee-like, allowing them to dart between flowers or snatch arthropods mid-air. Males engage in elaborate courtship displays, typi...
The Frilled Coquette (*Lophornis magnificus*) is endemic to Brazil, with its primary distribution concentrated in the southeastern regions of the country. Its range extends from the states of Alagoas and Bahia south through Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná, reac...
Least Concern
- The Frilled Coquette is one of the smallest hummingbird species, often weighing less than a US penny. - Its spectacular "frills" are not feathers in the traditional sense, but modified elongated plumes that can be erected during courtship displays. - Males are polygamous, meaning they will mate...